Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 14

We have arrived at week 14. It's the final round of the fantasy regular season but for many of us, it is a playoff game, or at least our last-gasp effort to squeeze into the playoffs. Adding to the stress, we have the second coming of bye-mageddon with six teams off at the worst possible time. Send your complaints about the scheduling to the NFL and hope for better decisions from them in the future. Meanwhile, pull out all stops and look hard for those stream plays that could salvage your season and propel you deep into the playoffs.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

As feared, the return of Jalen Thompson sent Dadrion Taylor-Demerson back to the bench. The rookie played well and seems to have a bright future. Stick him back on the taxi squad if you have that option. For this week, however, don't hesitate to put Thompson in your lineup against a Seahawks offense that has allowed the fourth most points to safeties since week six.  

Week thirteen was good for linebackers Kyzir White (5-1-1) and Mack Wilson Sr. (6-1-2). Don't count on a repeat in week fourteen, though. Since week six, Seattle has allowed the fewest points to the linebacker position. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

Full-blown confusion from the Falcons linebacker situation is exactly what we don't need at this critical juncture. Unfortunately, it is what they dumped on us. After making one brief appearance in their last six games, Troy Andersen returned to action on a limited basis in week thirteen, seeing 16 snaps. The good news is that he did not aggravate the knee injury as he did in week ten. The bad news is that we don't know what his role will be this week. While that's bad enough, adding to the confusion, Nate Landman was limited to 17 plays against Los Angeles, while Demone Harris played 24, mostly in three linebacker packages. The bottom line here is that starting any Falcons linebacker other than Kaden Elliss is risky. 

Dee Alford was back in action as well, but not in the starting role he had before missing time. Instead of logging more than a 90% playshare as he did leading up to the injury, Alford worked in the nickel role, seeing 63% of the action, while Clark Phillips III started opposite A.J. Terrell Jr. and was on the field for every defensive play.

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

Eddie Jackson was released, and Marcus Williams has played two snaps in the last three games. With Kyle Hamilton seeing more work as the deep safety, Ar'Darius Washington is in a position to help us with our playoff runs. He was the team's leading tackler against Philadelphia at 6-2, including a pair of tackles for loss. Washington provides no immediate help with the Ravens off this week. However, for those who survive and earn a ticket to the dance, he has three solid matchups, starting with the Giants in week 15. 

The low snap total for Trenton Simpson in week 12 was not a mirage. He saw even less time (22 snaps) in week 13. Meanwhile, Malik Harrison has been right around 70% participation over the last two games, and Chris Board played 54% two weeks in a row. Some of Harrison's playing time is coming at the edge position where Baltimore remains thin.

Odafe Oweh was limited to 15 snaps versus the Eagles. As I wrote this late on Tuesday, there had been no word of an injury. With Kyle Van Noy inactive, Tavius Robinson played 93% of the snaps.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

The blizzard in Buffalo changed how the teams approached the game but it left no question at the Bills linebacker position. There was no pitch count for Matt Milano who was a 77% participant in his first game back. Dorian Williams went back to the shadows, seeing no defensive snaps.    

The snow did not bother Greg Rousseau, who had a great game at 4-0-1 with 3 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Rousseau did nothing against the Chiefs in week eleven but is 11-4-3 with 2 turnovers in the other three of his last four games. The Rams are a less-than-stellar matchup but then so were the Colts in week ten. Rousseau was 3-1-1 with a forced fumble in that game.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

There were some interesting numbers on the Panthers stat sheet in week thirteen. Edge defender Amare Barno was 3-1-1, and corner Chau Smith-Wade went 6-2 with a pick, while corner Mike Jackson was 1-1. Write all of this off as the fog of war and move on. Barno played 9 snaps while Smith-Wade logged 63% as the nickel DB, and Jackson held his normal every-down role.

Trevin Wallace went 3-2-1 against the Buccaneers. While the tackle production is nothing to get excited about, he was one snap short of an 80% play share for the first time since week ten. With so many teams off, Wallace could be a good stream in a solid matchup with the Eagles. Philadelphia has provided the sixth most points to linebackers since week six.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

Changes in the front office and coaching staff have the Bears on shaky ground. Regardless of who is calling the plays, one Chicago defender has to be in our lineups this week. Kevin Byard III has been a positive in a sea of negatives for his team and ours. He should excel this week against a San Francisco offense that has been the game's best matchup for safeties since week six.    

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

There is a lot to sort through with the Bengals. Working front to back, Sheldon Rankins was a surprise inactive against the Steelers with an illness. Kris Jenkins Jr. got the start and had a decent day with six combined stops. Rankins should be back this week, but Jenkins could be the future. Rankins and B.J. Hill will be free agents after next season.

Logan Wilson missed Sunday's game with a sore knee. When he missed time in the past, it was Joe Bachie at the position. This time around, the Bengals moved Akeem Davis-Gaither into the starting role instead. Davis-Gaither responded with a solid outing at 4-9. Wilson could practice this week, ahead of the Monday night matchup with Dallas, leaving another grey area for us. If you have Wilson, pick up Davis-Gaither as a handcuff. If you don't have Wilson, Davis-Gaither could be a quality stream. Keep an eye on Wilson later in the week.

It was announced before last week's game that Jordan Battle would start ahead of Vonn Bell at strong safety. Battle ended up playing 75% of the snaps and likely would have been over 80% had he not been banged up midway through the 4th quarter. The injury was not serious, so Battle should be available this week. Dallas is a solid matchup if you are needy enough to take the risk. 

Statistically, it was a great day for Cam Taylor-Britt, who totaled seven tackles and an interception for a score. He also gave up some big plays in the 44-38 loss. Taylor-Britt's struggles this season make it a good bet he will not be starting in 2025. For now, however, Cincinnati has a rash of injuries at the position and simply has no better option. He should be out there on Monday against a Dallas offense that has provided the third most points to corners since week six.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

Devin Bush and Mohamoud Diabate were disappointing against Denver, but that was not a surprise. The Broncos are a bottom-of-the-barrel matchup for linebackers. Jordan Hicks led the way in both playing time at 93% and production with a strong 5-7. The rest of the story is that Diabate (0-4 PD) played 74% of the snaps while Bush (2-3) played 50%. While the Steelers are a much better matchup, neither player did much in the first game between these two teams. Bush was 3-3 and Diabate 5-1.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

Following his huge game against Washington in week twelve, Josh Butler was forced out of Thursday's game with a non-contact knee injury. As of early Wednesday, no update had been given on his status. It could be moot anyway if Trevon Diggs is available come Monday, which is a distinct possibility.   

DaRon Bland had a strong outing in his second game of the season,  going 6-3 with a pass breakup on Thanksgiving. Two games with no injury setbacks are enough to make him a solid start this week against a Bengals team that has been a top-ten matchup for corners since week six.

DeMarcus Lawrence is expected to practice soon and may be available for week 15.

Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos

Drew Sanders was activated from IR last week but did not see the field against Cleveland. With Denver on bye, he should see some action in week 15. Any playing time Sanders gets would likely come at the expense of Justin Strnad.

Denver hopes to have Riley Moss available for that game as well. His replacement, Levi Wallace, was lit up like a pinball machine by the Cleveland receivers. With games against the Chargers, who have become a much stronger matchup for corners in recent weeks, and the Bengals in weeks 16 and 17, Moss would be a welcome option for IDP managers as well. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Detroit Lions

Malcolm Rodriguez finally got his opportunity to shine. It lasted less than two games before his season ended with a knee injury. There is always a next-man-up mentality when it comes to injuries. The problem for us and possibly the Lions as well, is figuring out who the next man up will be. Detroit recently signed Kwon Alexander off of Denver's practice squad and claimed David Long Jr off waivers. Zeke Turner saw most of the action after Rodriguez went down on Thursday, so his name could be in the hat as well. Providing we don't get the dreaded platoon approach, there is value to be had here. Hopefully, the Lions will give us an idea of where it lies before they square off with the Packers on Thursday. Don't count on it, though.  

Josh Paschal left Thursday's game with a knee issue. The injury is not believed to be serious but the short week could cause him to miss the Packers matchup, which was not a good one anyway. Hopefully Paschal will be ready when Detroit plays Chicago in week 16.

Guru's IDP Notes: Green Bay Packers

With Edgerrin Cooper nursing a sore hamstring, Isaiah McDuffie has seen a bigger role in the last two games. He parlayed the 89% play share into 7-3 with a forced fumble and a pass breakup versus Miami. The Packers have not given an expected return date for Cooper. If he misses more time, however, McDuffie could be a factor for us. He has a decent matchup with Detroit this week followed by a horrible one against the Seahawks in week 15. If he's still in the starting lineup after that, The Saints are a top-five matchup in week 16, and there is no better matchup than the Vikings in week 17.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Houston Texans

So much for the resurrection of Devin White's career. He has played 50% or more of the snaps in two of six games since signing with the team. When Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected for the hit on Trevor Lawrence, Neville Hewitt took over, going 5-4 on 49 snaps while White played 6.

The league office handed down a three-game suspension for Al-Shaair's hit on Lawrence. He appealed unsuccessfully, so Hewitt will be a great add for us in the playoffs. Houston is off this week but has the Dolphins, Chiefs, and Ravens during our playoffs.   

Guru's IDP Notes: Jacksonville Jaguars

All three Jacksonville linebackers underperformed last week. Foye Oluokun totaled 3-1 with 2 passes defended, Devin Lloyd 3-3 with a pass breakup, and Ventrell Miller 3-1. That was with a good matchup against Houston. This week, they get what, up to the last few weeks, has been a stellar matchup with the Titans. The Chargers, Vikings, and Commanders stacked the box, forcing Tennessee to abandon the run early. I'm not sure the Jaguars, who are near the bottom of the league versus the run, can do so. Look for a bounceback from these guys, especially Oluokun.  

Tyson Campbell is fairly productive when healthy. Unfortunately, he has not been healthy much. Against Tennessee, he was on pace for a solid game before leaving early in the second half with a thigh injury.   

Guru's IDP Notes: Kansas City Chiefs

Nazeeh Johnson only lasted 13 plays on Sunday. He was beaten so badly by Jakobi Meyers on some of those snaps that he was benched in favor of Josh Williams. Coach Reid confirmed after the game that Williams would be the starter going forward. He managed a modest 2-2 with a pass breakup against Las Vegas but has a string of solid matchups the rest of the way.